Vodacom Bulls' Director of Rugby said 2025 will be different for his team; however, despite being the favourites at home, they are wary of their opposition and will not underestimate Edinburgh Rugby in a United Rugby Championship quarter-finals on Saturday at 13:30 (SA Time).
“As a coach, you also have to evaluate where you are. I've done this many times, and I’m not saying this in an arrogant way, but I’ve been lucky enough to be able to experience these feelings playing in knockout games in different competitions."
"The group is maturing as a squad. Yes, there have been additions to the squad, but what has happened is that the Johan Grobbelaars and Ruan Nortjes have all been together as a junior squad."
“The quarterfinal is against a Scottish team that has internationals in every single position. And on their bench, there might be internationals on their entire bench as well. It is not a fait accompli that you just come along and win a quarterfinal.
The Bulls are still chasing a first United Rugby Championship title, despite reaching the final against the Stormers in Cape Town, and again last season, against Glasgow at Loftus.
White said, despite losing to Edinburgh (28-34) at the Hive Stadium a few weeks ago in the EPCR Challenge Cup, there is no score to settle on Saturday.
"There is no score to settle, no revenge over them but a desire for us to win this quarterfinal and hopefully the semi-final and make our way to the final,” said Jake White.
“Quarterfinals are always the games you look forward to. These are the games you want to be involved in and not miss out on. We lost to them a couple of weeks ago, and that is probably a blessing for us because that should be a lesson for us to be better in this outing.”
“The tournament has now become a three-game competition. You win all three games and you achieve your objective, which is winning the title,” White concluded.